TO CAPE FllIO. 



45 



flat portion of America, a climate, which by its moisture and coohiess 

 forms a surprising contrast with that of Africa. To these causes alone 

 are to be ascribed that extraordinary luxuriance of vegetation, that 

 exuberant foliage, which forms the peculiar characteristic of the New 

 Continent." 



When we had reached the top of the Serra de Inua, we saw num- 

 bers of parrots flying in pairs with loud cries, over the highest trees. 

 This was the red-headed parrot, called the camutanga in these parts ; 

 and in others, from its note, schaiia. In the sequel we often used it for 

 food. Continuing our journey we next descended into a pleasant 

 champaign country, and passed the night in the fazenda de Inua. The 

 proprietor, a captain, who was not a little surprised at the unexpected 

 visit, keeps a good stock of cattle and poultry on his farm. 



The Serra de Inua is an arm projecting into the sea from the lofty 

 mountainous chain which runs parallel with the coast. It is covered 

 with thick forests, which contain many useful kinds of wood, and 

 where the hunter in particular finds a great variety of game. The 

 day we remained there was passed in sporting, as we were delayed 

 by the sudden illness of one of our animals. We procured a great 

 number of fine birds ; but Mr. Freyreiss fired in vain at the small 

 red and gold-coloured monkey known by the name of the marikina. 

 This pretty little animal is here called the red sahuL It lives in the 

 thickest woods, and is only found to the South, in the neighbourhood 

 of Rio Janeiro and Cape Frio : we never met with it, at least, farther 

 northward. In the forests that cover these mountains, parrots are ex- 

 tremely numerous, especially some kinds with long wedge-shaped tails, 

 called here maracana; also the psittacus Alacavuanna'dnd Guicmensis, 

 which alighted in flocks on the neighbouring plantations of maize. 



Leaving Inua, we entered another forest of lofty and gigantic 

 trees, thickly interwoven together ; here we also met with some new 

 objects. We found the great bird-spider (aranea avicidaria of Lin- 



